Columbian Woodworking Vise Find
I just got back from a woodworking tool estate sale. There were many good buys. I would of purchase a lot more but ran out of money. I spotted this woodworking vise and noticed that it is a quick release. I already got an old vice for the workbench that I am currently building, but it is not a quick release. I thought I would give it a go. I am taking a chance in buying a vise that wouldn't turn. For $25.00, I don't think it is much of a gamble.
Here's what I have found so far:
The vise basically look the same as the one that I already have. Maybe the one I already got is a bit older. I thought perhaps I could "borrow" parts but even though they look the same, I doubt the parts are the same. We shall see. Hopefully, I wouldn't need any parts.
Here is my plan on cleaning this new old vise:
I just got back from a woodworking tool estate sale. There were many good buys. I would of purchase a lot more but ran out of money. I spotted this woodworking vise and noticed that it is a quick release. I already got an old vice for the workbench that I am currently building, but it is not a quick release. I thought I would give it a go. I am taking a chance in buying a vise that wouldn't turn. For $25.00, I don't think it is much of a gamble.
Here's what I have found so far:
- It is a little rusty.
- Something is keeping the screw from tuning.
- It is a woodworking vise, from "The Columbian Vise MFG Co Cleveland Ohio".
- You can still see the faded greenish gray color paint on the vise.
- The handle is missing.
- The screw to handle length is about 19", jaw width is 7" and the jaw depth is 4".
- There is some marking toward the back that I can't read clearly at this time. I believe something "10". Perhaps the jaws have a 10 inch opening.
The vise basically look the same as the one that I already have. Maybe the one I already got is a bit older. I thought perhaps I could "borrow" parts but even though they look the same, I doubt the parts are the same. We shall see. Hopefully, I wouldn't need any parts.
Here is my plan on cleaning this new old vise:
- Unfreeze the screw to see it move. Hopefully, all goes well. No sense of restoring the vise if it won't move.
- Remove the rust following the advices posted here on LJ. I will most likely use the electrolysis method provided I have the proper container. We'll see how it goes.
- Paint the appropriate surface.
- Lubricate the moving parts.
- If timing is right, gather the hardware and mount it on my new workbench.